Vertical pillar structured photovoltaic devices with mirrors and optical claddings

摘要

A photovoltaic device operable to convert light to electricity, comprising a substrate, a plurality of structures essentially perpendicular to the substrate, one or more recesses between the structures, each recess having a planar mirror on a bottom wall thereof. The structures have p-n or p-i-n junctions for converting light into electricity. The planar mirrors function as an electrode and can reflect light incident thereon back to the structures to be converted into electricity.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic device operable to convert light to electricity, comprising a substrate, a plurality of structures essentially perpendicular to the substrate, one or more recesses between the structures, each recess having a sidewall and a bottom wall, a planar reflective layer disposed on the bottom wall of each recess, a coupling layer and a cladding layer, wherein the structures comprise a single crystalline semiconductor material and wherein the sidewall of each recess is free of the planar reflective layer; wherein the structures have an overhanging portion along an entire contour of a top surface of the structures; wherein the coupling layer is disposed only directly above the cladding layer above the top surface in the direction of layer stacking; wherein the coupling layer is a different material distinct from the cladding layer.